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Berlin - The German part of the investigation into the "Aderlass" doping scandal is "in the home straight" and the Munich presecutors said on Thursday they are preparing to refer the cases to court.
"The investigations are in the home straight, we will be able to expect charges by the end of the year," said Kai Graeber, the head of the investigative team at the prosecutors' office.
Graeber warned that it would be naive to believe this network was the only one of its kind in Germany.
"The investigation has shown how easy it is to get around the regulations. It does not require a large medical investments to avoid doping controls."
The 'Aderlass' blood-doping operation is alleged to have revolved around German doctor Mark Schmidt. 'Aderlass' is the German for 'bloodletting'.
The Munich prosecutors have said that Schmidt is suspected of facilitating blood doping for at least 21 athletes of eight nationalities and across five different sports.
Graeber promised that not only Schmidt but "the whole German network" would be brought to justice.
The Austrian investigation is progressing a little faster. On Wednesday, Max Hauke, an Austrian skier, was sentenced for "serious sports fraud" in Innsbruck.
When police launched a raid during the Nordic skiing world championships in the Austria in February, they caught Hauke on camera apparently carrying out a blood transfusion. He received a five-month suspended jail sentence and a 480 euros ($530) fine.
Hauke said he paid Schmidt €10,000 per season.
Hauke was "the ugly picture of the activity," said Graeber.
